'I think he's a vastly improving player and I think there's a lot of talented young central defenders. Ryan's put together a good run of form for his club and he won't have a problem.'

While Shawcross has made the step up from the under-21s, Micah Richards has once again failed to earn a recall to the senior squad.

The Manchester City defender looked a near certainty for the right-back spot at the World Cup after he burst on to the scene in 2006 but he has been consistently overlooked by Capello.

Chance: Pearce says Richards can make World Cup

Pearce, though, believes it is not too late for Richards to win a place on the plane to South Africa.

'He needs a continuing run of form at Manchester City, and good form,' said Pearce.

'I think he's got 12 international caps at senior level; he's a very experienced player for such a young man, and we can't lose track of the fact he is still a very young man.

'I don't think Micah's the complete article yet, I think there's still more to come from him, and what we've seen already is someone who's good enough to win a dozen international senior caps. The door's open for him.'

Pearce's troops have an important match of their own tonight at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium.

England meet Greece in a European Championship qualifier knowing victory will take them above their opponents to the top of Group Nine and within three points of qualification for the finals in Denmark next summer.